Nationalism’s Role in Elections: BJP Understands, While Opposition Still Lags Behind

In 1989, a notable shift occurred in Indian politics when voters ‘defected’ to oust the Indian National Congress government, resulting in a minority National Front government. This development was met with hopes of challenging electoral totalitarianism in Indian democracy. There were expectations that this shift would bring about significant changes in India’s politics, which was particularly timely as secessionist movements were gaining strength in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP seized the opportunity to craft a new national identity for India and gradually established itself as the dominant political force in the country, while the opposition parties, primarily the Congress, failed to effectively counter the BJP’s nationalist agenda.

As a result, the BJP became the sole option for many voters, leading to a lack of meaningful competition in the political landscape. The article argues that the opposition’s failure to engage in the realm of nationalism allowed the BJP to consolidate power and assert its dominance, ultimately leading to electoral victories for the ruling party. The text also highlights the importance of regional parties, such as the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, in effectively challenging the BJP on its own terms and not ceding political space. The text concludes by emphasizing the need for a strong opposition to provide a balance to the ruling government in a functional democracy and raises questions about the potential outcomes of the 2024 elections.

It also calls for a more strategic and effective approach from the opposition to counter the BJP’s nationalist narrative and electoral strategies.